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Average

#1915 of 2,463 schools in NJ

James J Ferris High School

High School · Jersey City Public Schools

35 COLGATE ST, Jersey City, NJ 07302

Enrollment

1,345

Student-Teacher

14.3:1

Score

5.0

Grades

9th – 12th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Jersey City

#33 of 44

public schools

New Jersey high schools

#330 of 422

In district

#29 of 39

Jersey City Public Schools

Academic growth

9.9 / 10

Exceptional

About James J Ferris High School

James J Ferris High School serves 1,345 students in grades 9-12 in Jersey City's Hudson County. With 94 full-time equivalent teachers, the school maintains a student-teacher ratio of 14.3:1, providing opportunities for more individualized attention in the classroom. The school currently has significant room for academic growth, with 26% of students achieving proficiency or above in English Language Arts and 6% reaching proficiency in mathematics across grade levels.

These results place Ferris High School at #2374 out of 2,475 New Jersey high schools, indicating the school is working to better serve its diverse student population and improve educational outcomes. Interestingly, James J Ferris High School sits in one of Jersey City's most affluent neighborhoods, where the median household income reaches $165,235 and nearly 79% of residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher. The surrounding area features a median home value of $862,800 and maintains a low poverty rate of just 7.3% among its 53,237 residents.

This contrast between the school's academic performance and its prosperous surroundings suggests complex dynamics at play in the educational landscape. The school operates within Jersey City's large urban environment, serving families across various socioeconomic backgrounds while working to maximize student potential and achievement.

What Parents Should Know

While current test scores at James J Ferris High School are below average, the school shows strong growth metrics — meaning students are making above-average progress year over year. This upward trajectory can be a positive indicator for families who value a school's ability to help students improve, even if absolute scores haven't caught up yet.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress9.9Exceptional25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data4
Annual Change+4.02 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2024
TrendImproving
Academics3.1Fair25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency6%
Reading/ELA Proficiency26%
Math vs. State Avg-35.5 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-32.2 pts
Overall Proficiency16%
Expected (poverty-adj.)28%
vs. Expected-12.0 pts
Adjusted Percentile13th
College Readiness1.9Significantly Below Average30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
AP Participation3.4%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment5.7Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio14.3:1
Per-Pupil Spending$28,925

James J Ferris High School — Students at James J Ferris High School score 16% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 28%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

61.9%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores NJ NJSLA (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 7.9%
School
State
41.5%
ELA Proficiency 35.5%
School
State
58.2%

Based on 8 test records from NJ state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↑ Improving

Average proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.

2019
Math
4%
ELA
23%
2021*
Math
8%
ELA
36%
2022
Math
6%
ELA
26%
2024
Math
13.7%
ELA
57%

* COVID-affected year — test participation was uneven nationwide. This data is weighted at 50% in the Growth score calculation.

Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 9.9/10.

How James J Ferris High School Compares

See how James J Ferris High School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
5.0/10
22th percentile in NJ
Academic
3.1/10
3.1/10
Growth
9.9/10
Above average
Environment
5.7/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
62%
Teaching Staff
14:1 student-teacher ratio
94 teachers

Location

35 COLGATE ST, Jersey City, NJ 07302

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering James J Ferris High School may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Dr Ronald McNair High School (rated 8.3/10, 0.5 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is County Prep High School (rated 8.0/10, 0.3 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Academy of Technology Design (rated 4.1/10, 0.3 miles away), with a comparable rating. For more schools in Jersey City, see our Jersey City schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 0.8 mi
School Distance Rating
Dr. Michael Conti School Jersey City 0.2 mi 5.9
Academy of Technology Design Jersey City 0.3 mi 4.1
Middle School # 4 Jersey City 0.3 mi 7.5
BelovED Community Charter School Jersey City 0.4 mi 5.1
County Prep High School Jersey City 0.3 mi 8.0
FIRST CHRISTIAN PENTECOSTAL ACADEMY Jersey City 0.4 mi 5.9
Frank R Conwell School Jersey City 0.4 mi 6.3
Dr Ronald McNair High School Jersey City 0.5 mi 8.3
William L Dickinson High School Jersey City 0.6 mi 4.1
HUDSON MONTESSORI Jersey City 0.5 mi 7.8
ST JOSEPH ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Jersey City 0.6 mi 6.3
THE FRENCH AMERICAN ACADEMY Jersey City 0.5 mi 6.5
Regional Day School Jersey City 0.6 mi 7.3
ST ANTHONY HIGH SCHOOL Jersey City 0.6 mi 6.4
HAMILTON PARK MONTESSORI SCHOOL Jersey City 0.6 mi 6.8
Rev. Dr. Ercel F. Webb School Jersey City 0.7 mi 7.1
Rafael Cordero y Molina Jersey City 0.7 mi 7.2
OUR LADY OF CZESTOCHOWA Jersey City 0.7 mi 6.4
HAMILTON PARK MONTESSORI SCHOOL UPPER SCHOOL Jersey City 0.7 mi 6.9
BEREGEN-LAFAYETTE MONTESSORI SCHOOL Jersey City 0.8 mi

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 07302 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$166,854

Median Home Value

$853,700

Median Rent

$2,960/mo

Population

55,448

College Educated

80%

Homeownership

24.3%

Avg Commute

37.1 min

Poverty Rate

7.1%

Median Age

34.4

Community Profile

The community surrounding James J Ferris High School has a median household income of $166,854. It is a well-educated community where 80% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $853,700, with a median rent of $2,960/month. The local poverty rate of 7.1% is relatively low. The average commute in the area is 37 minutes, which is above the national average. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.

Similar Schools

Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings

School Rating
Barnegat High School Barnegat, NJ 5.0
Ewing High School Ewing, NJ 5.0
Hamilton West-Watson Hamilton, NJ 5.0
Pemberton Township High School Pemberton, NJ 5.0
Jackson Liberty High School Jackson, NJ 5.1
Lincoln High School Jersey City, NJ 4.9

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about James J Ferris High School

What grades does James J Ferris High School serve?

James J Ferris High School serves students in grades 9th through 12th.

How many students attend James J Ferris High School?

James J Ferris High School has an enrollment of approximately 1,345 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at James J Ferris High School?

The student-teacher ratio at James J Ferris High School is 14.3:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does James J Ferris High School rank in NJ?

James J Ferris High School is ranked #1915 out of 2,463 schools in NJ.

What is James J Ferris High School's MySchoolScout rating?

James J Ferris High School has a composite rating of 5.0 out of 10 on MySchoolScout. This score combines academic performance, student growth, and school environment into a single score. Equity data is shown separately for context.

What are the test scores at James J Ferris High School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, James J Ferris High School has 7.9% math proficiency and 35.5% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is James J Ferris High School a charter school?

No, James J Ferris High School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is James J Ferris High School a Title I school?

No, James J Ferris High School is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for James J Ferris High School?

61.9% of students at James J Ferris High School qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. This is a commonly used indicator of economic need and provides important context when interpreting test scores.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
95 Walker's Paradise
Transit Score
75 Excellent Transit
Bike Score
69 Bikeable
City Safety
High (2,593/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Jersey City). Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
1,345
Student-Teacher Ratio
14.3:1
Teachers (FTE)
94
Free/Reduced Lunch
61.9%
Type
regular
Setting
Large City
County
Hudson County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Jersey City Public Schools
District Enrollment
26,293
Schools in District
39
Per-Pupil Spending
$28,525
District Rank
#29 of 39

How We Rate Schools

Every school receives a composite score from 1 to 10 based on four pillars: Academic Performance (50%), Student Growth (20%), Equity (15%), and Learning Environment (15%). Scores are built from publicly available data including standardized test results, enrollment figures, and school climate indicators.

Read our full methodology

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